Tips for Finding Cheap Flights and Becoming a Savvy Flyer

1. Be Flexible with Dates and Times: Flexibility is key! Shifting your departure by a day or two can significantly reduce costs, especially at business-focused airports where Monday morning flights and Friday/Sunday returns tend to be pricier. Early morning or late-night departures are often cheaper due to less demand.

2. Understand Price Fluctuations: Some airports experience greater price variations than others. For example, a Monday departure might cost twice as much as a Wednesday flight, especially at business-centric airports like IAD (government) or IAH (oil). Mixed-use airports generally have less fluctuation.

3. Consider Nearby Airports: Look for flights from nearby airports on both ends of your trip, especially when flying with low-cost carriers (LCC). Just remember to factor in travel costs from the airport to the city center.

4. Use Multiple Flight Search Tools: Different platforms may offer better deals for specific routes. Check sites like Skyscanner, Kayak, Google Flights, Matrix ITA, Kiwi, and trip.com (especially good for Europe).

5. Utilize a VPN for International Flights: If you’re flying long-haul to/from Asia with Asian carriers, try using a VPN. This can sometimes provide better pricing when connected from an Asian country instead of a European or American one.

6. Join an Airline Alliance: If you primarily fly with legacy airlines, aim to join one of the major alliances (Star Alliance, One World, SkyTeam). Earning Frequent Flyer Program (FFP) status can offer valuable perks, and it’s often worth paying a bit more for flights within the same alliance.

7. Get a Credit Card Linked to an Airline: Consider obtaining a credit card that partners with an airline or alliance. These cards often provide significant points for sign-up and regular usage, leading to free flights or upgrades.

8. No Need to Clear Cookies: Clearing your cookies won’t impact flight pricing as some believe. Airlines have set ticket prices based on various factors like route demand, fuel costs, and promotional offers.

9. Check for Stopovers: If you have time and aren’t bothered by longer connections, look for flights that allow for one or two stopovers. This can complicate your itinerary but may lead to lower fares.

10. Explore Open-Jaw Tickets: Open-jaw tickets can be cost-effective for routes that may not be heavily advertised. They’re especially useful for trips involving neighboring countries.

11. Consider Round-the-World Tickets: Airline alliances offer global tickets that can be affordable if you know your route. Check options like One World’s Explorer and Global Explorer fares.

12. Use SeatGuru for Seat Selection: Before booking, visit SeatGuru to find out which seats are best based on aircraft reviews, especially for long-haul flights.

13. Research Aircraft Types: If you have a preference for a specific aircraft model, use services like Flightradar24 to check historical data and see what planes are typically used on certain routes.

14. Follow Flight Deal Websites: Sign up for alerts from websites that specialize in cheap flights and error fares, like Fly4Free, Secret Flying, and Scott’s Cheap Flights.

15. Join Travel Forums: Engage with knowledgeable travelers on platforms like FlyerTalk, where you can find answers to obscure questions.

16. Check Airline Reviews: If you’re considering a new airline, consult SKYTRAX for reviews and ratings, which can help you make informed decisions.

While many of these tips may be familiar, I hope this collection helps those who don’t travel often to find useful insights for their next journey!